Self-introduction with "jeoneun ~yeyo/ieyo"

Now let's introduce ourselves. "Jeoneun" is "jeo" (I, polite) plus "neun" (the topic marker), and "jeoneun ~yeyo/ieyo" means "I am ~."

Saying Your Name

Both "yeyo" and "ieyo" work like "am/is/are." Use "ieyo" after a name that ends in a final consonant (batchim), and "yeyo" after a name that ends in a vowel.

Ending	Use	Example
No final consonant	예요	안나예요 (annayeyo)
Has final consonant	이에요	마이클이에요 (maikeurieyo)

Country & Job

Country	Person	Romanization
한국	한국 사람	hanguk saram (Korean)
미국	미국 사람	miguk saram (American)
일본	일본 사람	ilbon saram (Japanese)

To ask the other person, say "ireumi mwoyeyo?" (What is your name?). You'll learn more about questions in the next lesson.

The Negative "anieyo" (am not)

"~i/ga anieyo" means "am/is/are not." Use "i anieyo" when the noun ends in a final consonant and "ga anieyo" when it doesn't. So "jeoneun haksaengi anieyo" means "I am not a student."

Politeness & a Common Mistake

Adding "nim" after a name makes it polite, like "Mr./Ms." But never add it to your own name: say "jeoneun annayeyo," not "jeoneun annanimieyo."

💡 Tip: In formal settings, "jeoneun ~imnida" sounds more polite, for example "jeoneun annaimnida" (jeoneun annaimnida).